My last night in Fort Myers I was invited to a cocktail hour on a shrimp boat named Sundancer owned by Ray and Delia West. It weighs 38 tons, has two refrigerators, one freezer, stove, piano, among other things. Ray and Delia are the couple standing in the doorway in these pictures. Ray and Delia have remodeled the boat and it looks great inside and out. Thanks Delia and Ray for inviting me into your home.  

Left Fort Myers around 8 am on February 2, 2010. Traveling on the Okeechobee Waterway also called the Caloosahatchee River. Went through one lock and now back in fresh water. Lock height of raise only 3’. Did get to Labelle Municipal Marina about 4:30 pm.

This is Gary Lee. He lives aboard his sail boat and travels between Annapolis, Md. and here at La Belle, Fl. each year. Gary Lee is a character. He knows where the deals are all over. When I pulled in to this city dock, he was right there. The 1st night we went to his favorite Bar and Grill. Well he knew numerous people at the bar and the BS that got started after a couple of beers, about boats, snakes, and alligators. It got to the point where snakes stealing boats, alligators water skiing, it was incredible. He knows boating and which marinas and where to anchor. The next night he took me to a restaurant where they served free fried chicken, onion rings and fried mushrooms. Just pay for your drinks. Had a great time with Gary Lee. This cat gets off his boat and will walk right on any boat in the marina.

The couple Tim and Jill Argie are from Woolford MD. They have a very nice cat boat. They came with Gary Lee and myself for the chicken dinner. I was glad they came along and enjoyed my time with them.

The man waving at me is in the sailboat right beside mine. Gary arrived a day after me and came down the East Coast. He has friends on a boat across the river.

These are pictures of the marina city park 1 1/2 blocks away, and parts of the town of LaBelle. The LaBelle city marina is no charge to tie up and includes electrical. The bathroom is in the city park approx 2 blocks away. In the city park there is a place for shows and there are very interesting trees called Living Oak, Swamp Oak. Downtown there is one Kentucky Fried Chicken that shares the front with a Taco Bell. They have a massage parlor, a small prison, (needed if someone throws a fit in the massage parlor I guess ), and is home to Swamp Cabbage Festival every year.  There are mosquitoes here also and I am using the mosquito net.

The bathrooms for the marina are in the park about 2 blocks away and are open 24 hours to everyone. This free dock with electricity is nice and ok I can walk 2 blocks. Gove this bathroom, no showers a pelican rating of 3.

Left LaBelle at approx 8 am down the intercoastal heading to Moore Heaven. Moore Haven is right before Lake Okeechobee. Perfect day today. Pictures are taken along the waterway.

Had to go through Ortana lock today. This lock was operated different than any I had been through. I was the only boat in there. I called the lockmaster and he said come on in but tie up on west side at second position. It won’t be so rough. I did as he said. Then I looked forward and the doors started to open and there was 4 foot wall of water behind those doors. I thought what is this, someone is screwing up. Here comes the water, the doors opened up about 2 foot and stopped. That is how they fill and empty this lock. It was a ride against the dock wall.

Anyone out there want to go 50/50 on a reasonably priced houseboat with a water view? Guys, before you try and sell this to your wife or girlfriend let me put some garbage bags over the windows so it looks lived in. Let me know.

What is a cactus doing in Florida along the waterway?  

This is how they keep the rain off the outdoor patio furniture in Moore Haven.

The bathroom at Moore Haven city dock is large. Everything is wet, ceiling, walls, floor. Looks like they clean it with a garden hose. But everything worked. This gets a pelican rating of 5.

Arrived at Roland Martins Marina in Clewistown, Florida. To get into the inlet to Roland Martins Marina you have to go through a set of hurricane locks.  I never heard of hurricane locks until I turned into the canal. It’s like what is this? The green light was on meaning proceed on through. They are used to control the water surge during a hurricane. No problem, just different.

THese are pictures around the Roland Martins Marina in Clewistown Florida. Just had to take a picture of the sign. Buzz is on a small homemade pontoon boat with a bicycle hooked up to a small paddle wheel under deck. Did not leave the dock as its left rear pontoon is missing. There are pictures of the Tiki Bar and the showroom at the marina. It’s amazing how many boats are under water at the marinas. The air boat was fun to watch around the docks.

This is the courtesy car at Rolands Marina has for boaters. It’s name was Gloria and it is an older limo. This is the 1st time I got a limo as a courtesy car. 

This iguana just crawled up at the very end of the dock at Roland’s Marina. Looks like he eats well.

I saw a sailboat come along the dock at the marina. The home port on thee boat said Delevan, Illinois. I walked down and had the pleasure of meeting Ted and Kitty Yontz. From Delevean Illinois on their boat, “Prairie Schooner”. I hope to see them again someday.

Bathroom report for Roland’s Marina. Large area with washers and dryers. Guess what. The lint screens in the dryers were clean. Buzz did not have to roll up someone else’s lint. Two showers and sinks and open 24 hours. It was nice. The lint thing moved them up a extra point on the pelican scale. Pelican rating of 7.

Left Roland’s Marina early morning of 2/9/2010 and heading to Slim’s Fish Camp. Well, Slim’s is a 30” dock and boat shop. I don’t even know if there is a town close. Charged me $5 for the right to tie up to the dock. I am the only boat here except Slim’s runabout. Services here are none. The bathroom report is short. The reason there is no picture, Buzz could not make up his mind which bathroom to take a picture of. One was a tree, and the other was the water. There is no bathroom. Pelican rating of 0.

Left Slim’s Fish Camp on 2/11/2010 heading to Loggerhead Marina by the town of Pahokee, Florida. These pictures are of large rocks that will be used along the dike. Arrived at Loggerhead Marina about 2:00 pm Thursday.

This is the entrance into the marina. Going between the seawall was rough and bounced me all over. 

This is Loggerhead Marina- nice place but no people, too cold, along with the economy. Nice clean place, swimming pool, lounge for boaters and campers, nice sales area. They  have small cottages for rent that face Lake Okeechobee. 

Few years ago this alligator came in the marina and did become a problem.

Across the dock was an older fiberglass boat. Bob lives on the boat and is in the process of fixing up the inside. He works part time at a nearby power plant as a welder. He plans to retire on the boat in the next two years. Had me over to watch tv one evening.

Bathroom rating for Loggerhead Marina. Laundry room nice and equipment like new. The bathroom and and shower are all tile and nice. The only thing is there are no hangers for clothes. Gets a pelican rating of 8.5.

Prior to leaving Loggerhead Marina I went to the grocery store and found some health food. These are double decker moon pies. Got 4 and they lasted until I got to Indiantown Marina.

I left Loggerhead Marina at Pahokee the morning of 2/15/2010 heading to Indiantown Marina in Indiantown Florida. Good Bye Lake Okeechobee, had one lock to go through. Arrived at Indiantown Marina mid afternoon. This marina appears small but it is really large with docks all around the back side in the canal. Nice set up, but nearest place to eat or get any supplies is about 3 miles. No courtesy car.

Gilles Girard is from France. He sailed this boat across the Atlantic to Washington DC in 1992/1993. He lives there with his wife and still works, but takes 4 months off each year to travel on the boat.

Right after I took the picture of Gilles Girard, he saw an alligator on the bank across from us in the marina. Gilles said lets go get a picture. Buzz said ok and was ready to walk around the dock and up on the bank. Gilles said, come on we will take the dinghy. Ok, that was fine with Buzz. Gilles pulls his dinghy around his boat and it is a fold-a-boat 10"’ long. He jumps in and Buzz thinks holy crap, this fold a boat is missing one side support and is flexing all over the place. But Buzz got in the boat and did get within 20 ft of the alligator. Buzz was sure of the boat did sink and the alligator was hungry it would go for the French treat prior to the American treat. The turtle just appeared beside my boat one hour after the alligator swam past.

Bathroom report for Indiana River Marina- Not bad, everything worked and had washer/dryer. Pelican rating of 7.0.

Left Indian River Marina on the morning of 2/16/2010 trying to make it to Stuart Fl. Pictures on the Intercoastal on way to Stuart Florida.

Arrived in Stuart Florida mid afternoon. Stayed at Harbor Inn Marina with a restaurant about 2 miles over a bridge into town. Ruthie is a hostess at the restaurant and the food was very good there. May be here a couple of days as a front is coming in with 20+ mph winds.

Bathroom rating for Harbor Inn Marina. One bathroom and no washer or dryer. There are very few people living on their boats so one bathroom was not a problem. Clean and everything worked fine. Pelican rating of 7.0.

Left Stuart Florida heading to Melbourne, Florida Waterline Marina. Did get a picture of a dolphin swimming alongside of the boat, along with a crab pot tied up to the dock.

The gentleman in the picture is Steve Cordell II. He is the owner of Waterline Marina and runs a first class operation. He is very involved with the needs of the live aboard and transients. He went out of his way to make me feel welcome.

Bathroom rating at Waterline Marina. Restrooms clean, plenty of hot water and lights. Had washer and dryer. This bathroom gets a pelican rating of 9.

Made it to Ft. Pierce City Marina, Florida. Staying tonight only. Next two days look good. Hope to move both days.

Arrived at Stuart, Florida today. Staying at Harbor Marina. Got a slip with the smaller boats. High winds forecast for the next two days. May be Friday before I can move again. We will see.

Left Pahokee this morning and got across/around Lake Okeechobee. Back in the intercoastal waterway. Am at Indiantown Marina in Indiantown. There is a large gator in this marina and I finally got pictures of one. Then a turtle comes up along side my boat. Plan on moving to Stuart, Florida tomorrow.

This gentleman is Bob and lives on a boat directly across the slip from me. He told me an amazing story which I do believe. Three or four years ago a friend of his came down to visit. His friend brought his dog along. They would walk along the dike beside this marina. The grass is cut short right down to the water, just like it is today. The dog is running along, back and forth. There are some people fishing, all of a sudden there there is a alligator about 4 feet from the bank watching the dog. The guys fishing start throwing rocks at the alligator, trying to drive it away. The dog thinks it is a game of go get what they are throwing. In the water the dog goes. The alligator grabbed the dog and is gone, never saw alligator or dog again. There are probably lots of stories like this, but I never been around anyone who was connected with something like this.

Moved today to Loggerhead Marina in the town of Pahokee, Florida. It is on the South east side of Lake Okeechobee. Nice marina with all the services. But only about 7 boats here.  Rain tomorrow so I will stay put one more night. This is the last marina until Indiantown. I need a good day to make that run.

Made it to Slims Fish Camp today. I am the only one here. A dock to tie to for $5, nothing else. But they did make a pot of coffee. And yes they charged me. Today I did finally see a alligator, maybe 4 foot long. Now i just have to get a picture of one.

Jim and Lynn Derck drove down to Scipio Marina, while I was in Apalachicola to see me. Jim knows Tug and I believe supplied the marine epoxy Tug used when building his boat. They live in Carrabelle, Florida and know the area very well. They showed me the sites and took me to lunch. I had a great time and thank you Jim and Lynn for a great day.

This is the city of Tarpon Springs Municipal Marina and it’s right at the tourist center for the sponge boats and all the shops.  These pictures were taken at 11 am on a Sunday.  The cold temperatures sure kept the tourists away. No one on the streets except for Buzz and he is not spending any money. It was too cold to take gloves off and get wallet out.

Bill and Barb Schuerman from New Port Richey came to see me. We had dinner together. They are in the process of moving back to Bloomington, Il. We had a nice talk and it was so nice to see them.

These pictures are for the little kid still in all of us.

When I checked in at Tarpon Springs Municipal Marina, they gave me a slip up front by the bathrooms/shower, well protected from the wind and wakes of boats. I thought this was great, stay two nights and then move on. Well, about 5 am I wake up and something did not feel right with the boat. I am warm and didn’t want to get out and check, but thought maybe I better. Opened the hatch and looked out and still not sure what, but boat did not rock or move. Got the flashlight out and wow, no water, I am sitting on mud. Low tide about 3 to 3 1/2 ft down and I am sitting on the mud. The sailboat beside me is sitting on bottom also, but leaning away from me. Pictures taken at 7 am. Boat did not float again until 9-9:30 am. Went in Marina office and asked if I could move down to the very end of the dock so I can leave at 8 am next morning, 6 open slips there. He looks at me and says “No” in a tone that said “I am the boss Hot Shot from Illinois. I said why not. Price the same for all slips, unless you charged extra for the sitting on the mud. I have to leave by 8 am so will you make the arrangements for two people to be here at 8 am to pull me out of that slip. I’m not paying them, that is someone else’s problem. He leaned on the counter and said ok move down there but not til this afternoon. I said not trying to cause trouble but I do need to leave early and thank you Sir, I will move this afternoon. Gee people get cranky when it’s cold out. So the next time a marina gives me what looks like the best slip they have the hair on my neck will probably start to rise up.

Bathroom at Tarpon Springs Marina. Two sinks and clean. Going to give this a pelican rating of 6. Might have been higher but still thinking of my boat sitting on the mud bottom.

This is what it looks like under the docks. Needs a little color to make it pretty.

Leaving Tarpon Springs Marina –Important to stay between the red and green channel markers.  They have a lot of water down here. The Gulf of Mexico on a perfect day.

Can you find the bird in the pictures? One is easier to see than the other. But same bird in both pictures.

Bathroom at Madeira City Marina. This is different, it is on wheels. Two bathrooms with a shower on the trailer. A little small, but not bad.They were clean. There was a fire extinguisher in each one.  Haven’t seen a fire extinguisher in any other bathroom. I heard some of these southern dishes are hot, but not that hot. Giving this potty on wheels a pelican rating of 5. 

Pictures of Intercoastal north and south of Clearwater Florida.

This is at O’Neill’s Marina just south of Gulfport. Two boats down from me was a parrot sitting on the front bow of a boat. I got the camera and started to take pictures. Ted Knowles owner of boat and the parrot said “You did it now.” The parrot’s name is Miss Mullet and is 17 years old. When someone takes pictures Miss Mullet really starts acting. This is one neat bird.

This is what happens when anchor at high tide close to shore. Tide goes out and boats have a problem.

Pictures taken at O’Neill’s Marina. The one with the stuffed lion is to keep birds away. Does this work? No. But it did cause me to do a double take when walking by.

Bathrooms at O’Neill’s Marina. Clean and large. Pelican rating of 9.0. I wondered what the ladies bathroom might be like. But was afraid to check it out. The rumor is they have carpet on the floors and bottles of cold wine on counter. Why is that?

Pictures going across Tampa Bay.

Picture at Interbay Moorings Marina at Gibsonton Fl. Every morning about 6:30 am flocks of birds would land on the larger boats. That has to be a mess to clean up.

Pictures of Larry Wilson (Rita Patterson’s brother), his bait shop, fishing supplies, etc. Real nice place. Ate at Larry’s house 3 nights and really enjoyed being there. Larry, Rita, and Aubrey sure went out of their way to cater to my needs. I thank them very much. Larry’s place is called Fisherman One Stop located on Route 41 Gibsonton, Fl.

This is a bar/grill one block from the marina called River’s Edge. It is a biker bar. The bikers sure carry/pull hardware behind their bikes. How would you like looking down the barrel of that 45 cal. It is a grill that can hold 100-200 hamburgers.

At Interbay Moorings Marina. One picture high tide at 1 am in the morning and the other at 6:30 am in the morning. Same location both photos. Big difference in the water level.

Pictures of manatees and one picture of fiddler crabs. I am not really that close. The camera has a zoom lens.

Bathroom/shower at Interbay Mooring’s Marina. Clean, large with hooks to hang clothes. This gets a pelican rating of 8.5.

Have seen lots of dolphins. Taken about 200 pictures and only got 1 picture of a dolphin.

Picture of Sunshine Bridge on Tampa Bay. They must have heard I was coming and installed those pillar protectors. 

This is in the Seafood Shack at Bradenton Beach. This Floating Chapel on the Bay was parked right across from me. They had a wedding there the next day. One the railing of the floating chapel they had a clipboard. It was a sign up sheet for stand in grooms. Must be available in 15 mins and no tie necessary. I wrote down a few names of guys from where I used to work.

Bathrooms at Seafood Shack Marina. All tile, 4 bathrooms with showers. Very nice. Pelican rating of 9.

At Marina Jack’s in Sarasota, Fl, there was an excursion boat. Maybe I need a mermaid and a palm tree on my boat.

Not sure what kind of tree this is, but the roots start on the branches and go to the ground.

This lady lives on this 24"’ power boat. Diane is her name and also the name of her boat. She bought the boat new in 1983 and travels back and forth from New York to Florida. Here at Marina Jack’s, she says she comes here for a month every year.

Bathrooms at Marina Jack’s- They have 8 bathrooms and 3 washers and dryers. This gets a pelican rating of 9.5.

This is 25’ tall and in a small park in front of marina.

This Oloid is a little hard for me to understand.  I am not the brightest bulb in the room. But this burned out my light when I first read it.

This is a dinner cruise operated out of Marina Jack’s in Sarasota. The gentleman on the left is the captain. I had their names, but can’t find the paper.

After leaving Marina Jack’s in Sarasota and heading south on the Intercoastal, I look behind me and there is a guy rowing. It seems he is getting closer to me. I think no he can’t be getting closer.  Well, when he pulled up beside me, I yelled to him, “You are making me look bad.” He just smiled and went on by. Maybe I need two 2.5 HP instead of just two 2 HP.

Pictures on the Intercoastal between Sarasota and Englewood, Fl.

Pelicans sitting in the trees on an island. I have not seen pelicans sitting in trees before.

One night after dark, I shined the flashlight in the water and a bunch of little fish all of a sudden appeared. Maybe not a big deal to everybody. But first time I ever shined a light in water and fish appear.

Bathrooms at Royal Palm Marina in Englewood. Large and shared with the Teke Bar. Taking a shower with guys coming in with a few beers in their belly, a guy has to be careful. If you see a twinkle in their eye, just growl at them. Gets a pelican rating of 6.0 and a growl.

Pictures at Royal Palm Marina. The lighthouse works and looks neat at night. 

This is Dale Wentzel. He and his wife Johnna just took over the marina and are making changes all over. this will be an even nicer place. I wish Dale and Johnna the very best.

While riding the bike and killing my butt, I stopped at a used items type of store. Found a Jack Higgins paperback I haven’t read. It cost me 82 cents including tax. The lady checking me out was very excited about the big sale. After I left I thought maybe I should have bought two 82 cent books.

Pictures along Intercoastal between Englewood and Boca Grande, Fl. One picture is of a crab pot marker. They are all over and attached to a wire cage of all different sizes. This is a bird drying off after fishing. Large swing bridge over the Intercoastal.

Got to Whidden’s Marina in Boca Grade, Fl. This is a real old, (1925) marina and nothing has changed in the 85 years. Well, one thing changed. they did a bathroom upgrade. So I am going to do the bathroom rating before we tour the marina. The shower is built up and over a small canal, it does have a door on it. the one single bathroom is for everyone, but the door is cute.  This is a watch where you step and lay your clothes type of operation. Give this charming set up a pelican rating of 3.5.

Here at Whidden’s Marina they have two pet pigs, two ducks that act like they run the place. 1st marina with pet pigs. I went in to get a slip, and I could not even see the lady behind the counter. But then I did not know that was the counter with 85 years of paper piled up. We finally made contact and I found out one thing that they are current on. She said we take all types of credit cards. I did sign their guest book. All kinds of really old signs hanging around. This is quite a place.

Downtown Boca Grande, Fl. This is a very ice area. Golf carts all over, with parking for them. All kinds of small shops, an 18 hole golf course along the Gulf of Mexico. Enjoyed my afternoon here.

On 1/27/2010 arrived at Monroe Canal Marina in St James City on Pine Island. this marina is the smallest I have been in. Only has 9 slips total. It is located about 1 mile off of Pine Island Sound back up a canal with homes on both sides. Real nice going up this canal. No trawlers/big boats of any kind.

The bathroom here at Monroe Canal Marina is one I haven’t seen before at a marina with transient slips. This gets a pelican rating of 1 and don’t get locked in.

Arrived at Fort Myers today and got a slip at Legacy Harbor Marina. This is a top shelf marina. Protected from wind and waves. Guess what I got a slip right up front and close to all the services. I know what I said after Tarpon Springs, but there is about 5” of water under me and only a two foot tide swing. The cost is reasonable. I have paid a lot more for a lot less. A grocery store, 7/11 convenience store, restaurants close and one restaurant on the water within 1000 ft. When I tied up there was a diver working on the bottom of a boat. I walked down and asked if I could take his picture. His name is Greg. I asked him about things he has run into in the water. He said in marinas manatees are attracted to the air bubbles and come in close, you can’t touch them but they get close. Out of the marinas you have all the fish, sharks, have not been a problem, they come look around and leave. The alligators you don’t see until they are right on top of you. You do have to watch out for them.

I had the pleasure of getting a slip next to the boat called BeachCat. Owners Doug and Sue Walton are here at Legacy Harbor Marina. they travel with their two dogs Scotter and Lacy. The boat is 44’ manta with a 21’ beam(that’s wide) with only a 2 1/2 ft draft. It is spotless and a beauty. They were kind enough to give me a tour of the boat. Completely air conditioned, three bedrooms, two baths, kitchen with visibility 360 degrees. I know there was a lot of other items that I can’t remember but they do have solar panels on top of the boat. This boat has it all. Every day Sue or Doug would ask if I needed anything. It was my good fortune to meet Doug and Sue and I wish them the very best of everything in the coming years.

This is a big boat leaving the marina Friday morning. They pulled away from the dock so smooth and under control I just had to take the pictures.

This is my 1st real problem I have had with the boat. Monroe Canal Marina I smelled something just as I was getting ready to leave. Found my electrical plug to shore power was hot and after shutting off the electrical disconnect I had to pull hard on the extension cord to disconnect from the boat. The insulation on the wires were melted and pulled one lead out of the plug. I did get it repaired here at Legacy Harbor Marina.

Did not see any seaplanes using this dock.

This restaurant was right beside Legacy Harbor Marina.

This is Sam Taylor and his dog River on their special modified pontoon boat called River Rat. I had met Sam on Kentucky Lake earlier this trip.

These are pictures of Legacy Harbor Marina. The two ladies run the marina from this office. Seating is Sheila and and standing is Lanna. This is a really great marina.  This marina had the nicest boater lounge I have seen. Complete with refrigerator, microwave, tv and computer for boaters use. 

At Legacy Harbor Marina, these are the bathroom and laundry with book exchange. Everything clean and easy to use. Gets a pelican rating of 9.5.

Ken and Kay Kiemel came to Fort Myers with friends of theirs to see me today~ Jan. 31, 2010. We walked around the marina and then we went out to eat at a place called Sweet Tomato. This was a great restaurant, if anyone in Illinois gets a chance to go to a Sweet Tomato restaurant, Do It. In the pictures are in front, Ken and Kay, Bill and Arlene Anker and Carl and Berdie Prins.

I left Moore Haven this morning about 9:00. Arrived at Roland Martin’s Marina about 1:30. This Marina is in the town of Clewiston, Fl. I may be here thru Sunday. There is front moving in with high winds, it is blowing about 20 mph now. This place is nice. But the dock master is only charging me $8.00 a night, includes everything. To get into this canal you have to go thru a hurricane lock. The lock was open but I never even heard of a hurricane lock before. Across the dock from me is a trawler named Dar Sea and the owners John Cleary and Dottie Herman have invited me over tonight. I am looking forward to seeing their boat.